September, 1943 Things are looking up for P.I. Betty Ahern. She's hired a part-time employee and is on the lookout for an office from which she can run her private investigation firm. She's also getting a reputation throughout Buffalo as someone who will help anybody, regardless of class or ethnicity. And her fiancé, Tom, is home from the war. But Tom is badly injured, angry, and not the person Betty agreed to marry.

When Tom is found over a dead body, the situation goes from bad to worse. The victim is the brother of Betty's latest client, a boy who may have been involved in some shady activities. Tom swears he's innocent and hires Betty to clear his name. It's a sticky situation-not only are the two cases a conflict between for her, but she knows Tom is also not being entirely honest.

Betty's investigation leads her into the city's Black neighborhood and the conflict between the area's leading criminal gangs. Can she find the murderer, clear Tom's name, and save her engagement? Or will she and Tom become the killer's next victims?